Camp Coffman is located just outside of
Fertigs in
Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Its located about twenty minutes from Oil
City. The camp has a total of 31 acres and itís a remarkable replica
of Cooks Forests. The Boy Scouts of America originally started Camp
Coffman Ministires in 1923. The camp was named after J.P Coffman. He was
a resident of Fertigis. They named it in honor of him because he donated
over $3000 to the camps clean up. This was to be one of the most
nationally acclaimed BSA camp in the state of Pennsylvania. The original
and most helpful troop that renovated the land to build the cabins,
trails and ponds of Camp Coffman was Troop 1 of Clarion and troop 16 Oil
City. It was used constantly by the BSA as mainly a campground and
jamboree meeting place. I talked with many original members of Troop 1
and 16; the most helpful information came from a man by the name of Guy
Heckelthrown a resident of Tippery and a former boy scout for Troop 16.
He told me all about the blood, sweat, and tears that were put in to the
creation of Camp Coffman. He also told me about the campouts and scout
meetings that were held there over the years. During 1923-24 the BSA
were busy clearing and renovating the land so that cabins and trails
could be open to the public. Over 120 Scouts worked on the renovation of
the camp.

Then
the foundations of the first buildings, the pond, the dam along East
Sandy Creek, and the infamous swinging bridge right below the dam were
put in to place in the spring of 1925. All the buildings materials were
donated at that time.The
buildings that were being erected were the dining hall, the
administration building, and 4 cabins. The cabins were the Oneida,
Chippewa, Algonquin, and the Cayuga. And the pond was completely filled
in the summer and the bridge over East Sandy Creek was already in use.
Camp Coffman was officially opened to the public on July 21st, 1925.
Shortly after the opening of Camp Coffman there was a destructive fire
to the Oneida Cabin ignited by lighting. It was rebuilt and in normal
conditions in the matter of 2 weeks.

In
1932 there were more buildings placed on the grounds of Camp Coffman.
They were the Nature Lodge, Trading Post, Infirmary, Canoe storage shed
and 2 more cabins they are the Onondaga and Iroquois. All of the
materials were donated for the construction of these buildings.Of all the construction of the cabins, Cayuga is the biggest it
can sleep over 20 men. The rest are all accommodated to sleep 10 men.
Also in this eventful year Camp Coffman was awarded the host of the Col.
Drake Council banquet. It hosted over 65 different troops and parents of
the boys.

In
1933 the trails of Camp Coffman were all cleared and ready for any
adventurous camper or outdoorsman. They led to various different
landmarks throughout the grounds of the camp. The trail that was made
across from the swinging bridge led to many famous Indian landmarks. One
of the most famous landmarks is Deer Rock. Deer Rock is located 0.5
miles on the northern trail leading to the Algonquin cabins. There is a
mystery behind deer rock. That is a young Seneca brave committed a crude
sin toward his father and was sentenced to create an art piece in trade
for his life. The chief would judge the young warriors art piece and if
the chief didnít think the warrior put enough of his heart into the
piece he would be sacrificed to the god of life.So the young warrior carved a stone in the shape of a mature
male whitetail deer, which still stands. So the same night as the
judging the young brave was placed upon the top of rock, which he had
poured his heart into his artwork. The chief lit the fire under his feet
and he was burned to death atop the rock.

Then
there is Balancing rock. It is located 2.5 miles on the north trail from
the swinging bridge. This by far is the most interesting location on
Camp Coffman. When you approach the base of this rock formation you look
up and see a very large rock on top of that there is a very small rock
no wider than 6 feet across then on top of that very small rock is a
very large rock about 11feet across. There are many speculations on how
the very large rock was put atop the very minute one. One of the most
reasonable ones is that the rock was put there by glaciers thousands of
years ago. Another one is that is was a physical test for 10 warriors
from the early beginning of the Seneca Indian tribe. They had to push
thelarge rock up the
backside of the little mountain and had to lift it upon the other rock.
I personally wish to not have any indication on how it happened I enjoy
the mysterious ways of early settlers.

Then
thereís Eagle rock, it is located along the upper side of the dam
located over 5 miles up stream. The rock was carved in 1643 thatís
what the date says on the rock it is shaped in the form of a bald eagle.

In
1978 Camp Coffman was abandon by the BSAíS. They abandon it because
the enrollment of the boy scouts dramatically fell and the lack of
interest in the camp made it crumble in to past memories. In 1984
Clinton Hepler owner of Seneca Hardwoods bought it from the scouts and
timbered the camp until 1987. Then Hepler donated the camp to Fertigis
Church, which manages the camp to this day. The current caretakers of
Camp Coffman are Bill and Laura Evans. They live there with their 2
children.

I think Camp Coffman benefited this area a great
deal when it existed. It provided many outdoor occasions for many young
teens and adults. The only negative affect that Camp Coffman has is that
I think not enough people have visited this great place of beauty and
adventure. Camp Coffman contributed to the state of PA. When it was
chosen for the Col. Drake Council banquet it hosted many local people and
people from the state of PA.